Risks & Complications of Makoplasty Knee Resurfacing
Dr. Buechel, Jr. has recommended a Knee replacement procedure for you. It isimportant that you understand that the goal of the surgery is to allow return to ordinarydaily activities of living with less pain but may not completely restore the same level of function thatyou had before the damage to the knee joint began.
Patients who undergo joint replacement are at risk for certain complications as with
any major surgical procedure. The complication rate following joint replacement is less
that 2% of patients, but may include:
Infection in the surgical wound or in the joint
IV antibiotics are given prior tothe start of surgery and will continue following surgery to help try to prevent an infection. Patients that have a history of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic liver disease,or those who are taking corticosteroids are at a higher risk of infection after anysurgery. Infections' in the superficial wound are usually treated with antibiotics. Infections deep in the joint may require more surgery and possible removal of the artificial joint.
Blood Clots
Patients may develop a blood clot in the lower extremities after knee joint replacement surgery. A blood clot may block blood flow to the leg and if itmoves to the lung, can be life threatening. You will be placed on anticoagulantsafter surgery to prevent blood clots and you may be monitored while on anticoagulant therapy. It is important to do an exercise calledankle pumps after surgery. You will also be given compression stockings toreduce the risk of blood clots.
Nerve Injury
Nerve injury is not common but may-occur. A nerve injury maycause the loss of sensation and/or motor function to the lower extremity. This may be temporary in which the symptoms improve over time and go awaycompletely or may be permanent.
Lung congestion/pneumonia
It is important to cough and deep breathe aftersurgery to expand the lungs. You will need to do this a few times an hour whileawake. You will be given a device called an incentive spirometer to assist inbreathing more deeply.
Damage to the blood vessels
Some blood loss is expected and may require blood transfusion.
Risks of Anesthesia
You will meet with the anesthesia team prior to yourprocedure and they will review the risks of the type of anesthesia selected for yourprocedure.
Loosening/Failure of the Prosthesis
Over time, the components may weardown or loosen and require replacement/revision surgery. It is also important thatyou maintain your ideal body weight, as replacement joints are more likely to fail or wear down faster in people who are overweight.
Fracture
Preparing the bone and placing the tracking devices may lead to fracturing ofthe bone which may result in additional surgery, protected weight bearing orfailure of the implant. The Navigation pins in the femur and tibia can cause fracture with to aggressive activity after surgery before the bone completely fills in these holes.
Heterotopic Bone Formation(HBF)
This is a bone growth that may occur beyond thenormal edges of the bone. This may cause long term pain and/or loss of motion. This process, if it occurs may take nearly 18 months to complete, at which time removal can be considered if causing symptoms. If you have a known history of HBF, preventative measures can be attempted but are not 100% preventative.
Bleeding/Bruising/Leg Swelling
These findings are the direct result surgery and are not complications, but temporary effects of the nature of surgery. These findings are self-limiting and vary in amount from patient to patient. Some wounds will drain for extended times and will be monitored more closely by the doctor until this has stopped. Elevation of the leg for the first several weeks when not walking will help reduce the swelling in your legs along with the use of ice packs on the knee.
No one wishes to have complications associated with their procedures, especially Dr. Buechel, who’s primary goal is to make your life more enjoyable and less painful than it is now. If any of the issues described above occur to you, Dr. Buechel will use all of his medical and surgical expertise to help ensure the best outcome for you.
Patient’s Name: ______
Date ofsurgery: ______
Surgeon: Frederick Buechel, Jr. MD
The patient understands the diagnosis, procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to
surgery and agrees to surgical intervention.
Patient’s Signature: ______Date: ______
Witness Signature: ______Date: ______
Frederick F. Buechel, Jr., MD
Physicians Regional Medical Center * Pine Ridge
6101 Pine Ridge Road, 1st Floor, Naples, Florida USA 34119
phone 239-659- 5633 (KNEE) · fax 239-403-2663 (BONE) · www.RoboticKneeMD.com